In Britain, 40% of all sex crimes are against children, and at least 35,000 attempts to access child abuse images are blocked every day

My mother's ruin

Latest:

How Felix White, who died aged six from Neuroblastoma has helped scientists develop successive versions of the immunotherapy drugs, ALK inhibitors which turn off the cancer-causing ALK gene.

Felix’s parents, Matt and Colleen allowed doctors to draw his blood after his death. His cancer cells were subsequently used in the lab to develop new drugs which are now being put forward as frontline treatment for children with Felix’s disease.

The impact he’s had on medical research is best described by Dr Yael Mosse, from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where his parents had taken him for last-chance immunotherapy treatment: ‘I am not sure I can begin to share with you the impact your beautiful son has had,’ she wrote to them. ‘It is far-reaching and truthfully immeasurable. I can tell you that Felix is always with me, in everything I do — in the lab and in the clinic. He is the overarching motivation for our work and I make sure everyone knows about his journey . . .

‘And about the gift you shared with us when he died . . . I drew his blood myself at the deepest and darkest time for your family — and when I walked his cells back to the lab, we vowed do better for other kids. This has been an immense privilege for me that I never take for granted.

‘Thanks to Felix, we’re moving ALK inhibition upfront for kids newly diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. Thanks to Felix, some very special children are living longer and with exceptional quality of life..’

The Zero Suicide initiative, which originated in the US, argues that suicide is not an inevitability for some but a wholly avoidable avoidable and preventable event. The father of an 18-year-old victim is leading a campaign to sign up every NHS trust and school in the country.

Immunotherapy – this groundbreaking new treatment shrinks tumours by switching on the immune system so that it recognises and targets malignant cells. There have been spectacular results in trials for some cancers – but it won’t work as well for the majority and no one yet understands why.

Brilliant news that the Royal College of Midwives have reversed their position on natural births but it doesn’t help the thousands of women damaged for life by over-long labours and instrumental deliveries. Read my piece on the great childbirth taboo here